The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to implement far-reaching reforms aimed at improving the welfare, professional status, and working conditions of nurses nationwide. This commitment comes as the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) officially suspended its 7-day warning strike over the weekend.
The strike, which significantly disrupted healthcare delivery across the country, was launched in protest of long-standing issues around poor remuneration, inadequate professional recognition, and substandard working environments for nurses and midwives. However, following a series of extensive negotiations, both parties reached a consensus, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, August 1, 2025.
The reconciliation meeting was convened at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi. The MoU was signed by Comrade Haruna Mamman, President of NANNM; Comrade T.A. Shettima, General Secretary of NANNM; Dafeta T. Tetshoma, Director of Human Resources at the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare; and Falonipe Amos O., Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
A critical component of the agreement is the Federal Government’s commitment to gazette the Nurses’ Scheme of Service, which was originally approved by the National Council on Establishments in 2016. The Scheme of Service, once gazetted, will formalise the career progression and professional structure for nurses within Nigeria’s public sector.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is expected to work closely with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to fast-track the process. The Director of Nursing and the Secretary General of NANNM will be responsible for following up to ensure the process is completed within four weeks.
On the issue of allowances, the government acknowledged several of the union’s long-standing demands. These include a 30% consolidated shift duty allowance, 20% annual specialist allowance, and a revised uniform allowance of ₦300,000 per annum. Additional benefits agreed upon include a 4% consolidated call duty allowance, 35% teaching allowance, and the introduction of allowances for excess workload, burnout, and retention.
To further address financial concerns, it was resolved that within two weeks, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will initiate fresh discussions with other key stakeholders, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The issue of centralized internship placements for graduate nurses was also addressed. The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has been mandated to finalise a system that ensures equal placement opportunities across all states, avoiding oversaturation in cities like Abuja and Lagos.
In addition, nurses were assured of greater representation in the Boards of Tertiary Health Institutions, in line with statutory requirements. The Federal Government also committed to reconstituting the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria without further delay.
On employment and infrastructure, the Ministry of Health disclosed that recruitment waivers had been granted for over 14,000 health workers in 2024, with nurses making up about 60% of the total. The 2024 recruitment process has already been completed, while arrangements for the 2025 waiver are underway.
With the MoU signed and these assurances in place, NANNM announced the immediate suspension of its industrial action. Both parties further agreed that no nurse will face victimisation for participating in the strike.
The resolution of this dispute marks a significant step toward improving the healthcare landscape in Nigeria and signals a renewed commitment by the government to support and empower the country’s vital nursing workforce.
